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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Is atopic dermatitis contagious?

    Related Topics
    Dermatology Eczema
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    Eczema Association Of Australasia

    The role of the Eczema Association of Australasia Inc (EAA) is to be a supportive body for eczema sufferers and carers, to increase public awareness … View Profile

    Atopic dermatitis which is the same as eczema, is not contagious. 
    However, people with the condition can easily catch a skin infection from other people or from scratching. 
    That is why it is important at any sign of weeping of the skin to visit your GP or Dermatologist to obtain some antibiotics to clear the infection up. 
    Using topical cortisone cream can prevent the development of an infection.

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    Prof Rodney Sinclair

    Dermatologist

    Professor Sinclair is a Professor of Dermatology at the University of Melbourne and Director of Sinclair Dermatology. He is past-president of the Australasian Society for … View Profile

    No

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  • Dr Liam Beiglari

    Allergy Specialist & Immunologist

    I am a clinical immunologist and allergist. I am experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of adult patients with allergic diseases, autoimmune conditions, those living … View Profile

    tldr; no, eczema is not contagious. The inflammation in eczema, or atopic dermatitis, results from an irritant component plus a propensity in the patient's skin to develop eczema. It is a condition that is innate in the person experiencing the condition. You may find that your children or parents also have flares of eczema as well but that is very unlikely to be a reaction that has occurred in response to your flare. The best treatment for eczema is good skin care including adequate topical moisturisers, a decent dose of topical steroids, and removal of irritants from the skin. If the eczema still does not settle with that first line treatment then I recommend seeking a referral to a specialist immunologist or dermatologist for consideration of other therapies (e.g. dupilumab). That's not to say that contagious conditions can look like eczema, you can never say never in medicine. Depending on the doctor's assessment there may be an indication to check for other infectious organisms if there is indeed a pattern of contagion within a household.

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